Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any related paraphenalia.

The Collaborator

Chapter I

A girl, not over ten years old walked slowly through a row of cold, empty cells. Her morbid fascination with evil would be the death of her one day.She approached the last cell and peered in. A ragged man with black hair and black goatee sat against the wall in shackles. His face was sallow and gaunt; it looked as though he had faced one too many days pondering his fate. She stared at him.

He looked up, startled to see a child staring at him. He glared menacingly, but it did not scare her away. In fact, it seemed to deepen her curiosity. "How did you get in here?" he croaked.

The girl stared a bit more before answering, "My mum works on the third floor. I came down here when I heard about the trial."

"Only the guards can get in here," he answered gruffly, hoping that the girl would turn away because of his rudeness. Yet, the girl just smiled. Then her face started to twitch, her legs grew and her hair shortened. Before he knew it, she had turned into one of the guards.

"I am a Metamorphmagus," she said proudly as she turned back into herself. "But, don't tell anyone or my mum will hit the ceiling."

He grinned. "I won't, but what are you doing down here? I am a dangerous man."

"Why?" she asked with her childish innocence.

"I am a servant of the Dark Lord," he sneered at the child's naïveté.

"Does that make you a bad man?" she asked, unbothered by his venomous stare.

"Yes, my dear, that makes me a bad man," he replied mockingly.

"What did you do?"

"Everything. I have done things that you have no grasp of. I have witnessed things that are too horrible even for nightmares. I have killed, tortured, mutilated, and taken advantage of every opportunity to strengthen my own power."

"Why?"

"Because power is everything. It moves the world, runs the universe."

"But that isn't real power. My mum always says that all power that humans get is fake and easily taken away. She said that it is just an illusion."

"So it is, so it is, but we humans will grasp whatever power we can, an illusion or not."

It was all too true. He had join Voldemort for power and no other reason.

"Are you scared?"

"Yes. Azkaban is hell," he sighed.

"You don't have to go back."

"Oh?" he said arching an eyebrow. "And I suppose you can magic me out of here?"

"No, I am not old enough yet, but my mum was talking about the trials the other night. She said that some people got off because they gave names."

He had not thought of this. It was a good plan. He felt no loyalty to the other Death Eaters. Hell, he wasn't even loyal to Voldemort. Everything for power. He had given everything and he was going to pay for it. But now, he had the smallest bit of hope, a hope that rested in a few names. If he escaped this horrible fate, he could pursue power in other ways, but betraying Voldemort could end in his demise. If he did escape Azkaban, he would have to go far away.

He looked up at the girl. "What is your name?"

"Nymphadora Tonks."

"Tonks? I have never heard the name, but you can't be a mudblood."

"I am half-blood, sir. My father is a muggle."

He laughed at being called "sir." He liked the ring of it though. "What is you mother's maiden name then?"

"Black."

"Ah, a most noble family. Strong supporters of the Dark Lord, did you know that?" he said with glee.

"Yes, but we don't talk about them," said the girl, almost defiantly.

"I am guessing Andromeda is your mother then?"

"Yes."

"And that would make Sirius and Regulus Black your…first cousins, once removed, correct?"

"Yes."

"Regulus is a good friend of mine. I suppose I should introduce myself as well. I am Igor Karkaroff."

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Karkaroff."

"Likewise, Miss Tonks."

Igor looked for the girl as he was lead in shackles in the courtroom. The whole of Wizemgot was there, but the girl whom he had talked to for the better of an hour, who had given him the possible key to his freedom, was nowhere to be seen. He hoped she hadn't been caught.

Igor almost slapped himself. Of course, he would not see her. She was a Metamorphmagus. She could be anyone in the room.

He was put and chained into a chair, facing Bartimus Crouch.

The trial began. Igor named his names. He was nervous; many of the names he had given were useless. Some of the Death Eaters he knew were already dead, captured or pardoned. In the end, he only had one name of any worth, that of Augustus Rookwood.

He hung his head in defeat as he was sent back to Azkaban until his sentence was decided.

Her morbid fascination with evil would be the death of her one day. That is what her mother always said. It was true that Nymphadora Tonks had never looked upon the sinister and wicked with the distain that others did. She had always looked up such with curiosity. It was one of the reasons she had become an Auror.

Despite this fascination and her family's connections to You-Know-Who, she had always remained an advocate against the "Dark Side of the Force," so to speak. She had joined the Order of the Phoenix at a young age and spent her days fighting evil to the best of her abilities.

The best of her abilities, though, had not been good enough. Evil was conquering. Much of the Order was dead or imprisoned by Voldemort's hand. Hogwarts had closed; there was no point in keeping it open when most of the teachers were dead anyway. The Ministry of Magic ceased to exist. It had been ransacked by Death Eaters.

Voldemort slowly and surely took over Britain. Other countries we too scared to do anything about it. Many of them had made treaties with Voldemort. Poverty and turmoil was widespread across the country. It was eternally dark.

Yet, Tonks felt some hope. Harry Potter, in spite of the odds, was still alive, searching for the Horcruxes. That was the only thing that kept up hope in the wizarding world.

Tonks disapparated from her post looking over the desolate village of Hogsmeade. Voldemort was planning on taking Hogwarts. Just try, thought Tonks wryly. Hogwarts had shut itself down from the inside. It would not open to anyone, unless it wanted to.

She apparated into an empty street in London. All the streets were deserted. Everyone was in before dusk these days, even Muggles. Well, at least anyone that wasn't an ally of Voldemort. Tonks checked to see if anyone had followed her. Turning into a small side street, she changed her appearance into that of an old man. She walked a few blocks over seeing nothing but one mangy cat.

At an old brick building, she turned into an alley. She tapped quickly at the third door down. One loud, three soft, two mediums. A small window opened at eye-level, two brown eyes peaked out.

"I always walk south, never to the north. I am trying to reach a destination my friend, but I do not know where to go or how to get there. Can you tell me?"

"You walk to the east and take a rest at the lamp-post. From there, take three lefts and then a right. Follow the smell of the ocean and then you'll get there," replied Tonks fluidly. It was the weirdest password she had ever come across.

"Translation?"

Tonks took a breath. "Dung, if you don't let me in right now, I will be forced to turn you into a Blast-Ended Skrewt named Fluffy."

"Come on in then. Don' get so uppity at me. I didn't come up with that blasted password."

"Its what we get for making Hagrid and Lovegood come up with a password. Never again, I tell you."

Tonks changed back into her regular appearance and followed Mungdungus Fletcher through a dark hallway. She carefully avoided the middle floorboard five feet up as well as the side two six more feet ahead. She made sure to duck when she passed the painting of Mercer the Moldy. Finally, they reached another door. Mungdungus knocked three times: one loud in the middle, one medium to the left and one loud at the bottom. The door opened slowly.

Many of the other members of the Order of the Phoenix were already situated along a rectangular table. Hagrid was at the far end with Madam Maxime, then sat Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour-Weasley. Next to them were Fred and George Weasley, followed by Mad-Eye Moody. From there on it was all new recruits: Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Hannah Abbott, Angelina Johnson, Lee Jordan, Zacharias Smith and Colin Creevy. There were a few other members left, but they were all on missions. About fifteen former students of Hogwarts, who were around Harry Potter's age, had joined.

After Hogwarts closed, most students went home to their families. All of the ones who did not, excepting those who had joined the Order or who had been killed, had become Death Eaters. It was not just Slytherins who had become followers of Voldemort. Many Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and even some Gryffindors had become Death Eaters. Alicia Spinnet and Michael Corner were rumored to have lead a mass Muggle torture in Warton and Roger Davies was spotted at the destruction of Ministry of Magic.

The world was in a lot of trouble.

"What did you find out Tonks?" asked Bill leaning forward. Scars lined his face and an odd light radiated from his eyes, both gifts from Fenir Greyback.

"Voldemort is going after Hogwarts. Most likely for new headquarters. If it falls into his hands there will be dire consequences, but I don't think we have to worry too much about it," Tonks replied.

"Dire consequences and you tell us not to worry?" said Zacharias Smith raising an eyebrow.

"Hogwarts has a mind of its own; it won't let him in, I'm sure of it," growled Moody.

"That's what I thought as well." Tonks rubbed her temples. It was strange, she was not even thirty yet and she felt so old. "What about you Bill, anything yet?"

"No, Remus hasn't been found. Greyback has most of the werewolves on his side. He promises them liberation under Voldemort. It's a load of shite, but they still believe it."

"Hagrid?"

"We managed to stop a few Death Eaters and Giants from raidin' a small town west of 'ere. We put the family they were after in a safe place. T'was the Thomas's, I think."

"Did the Death Eaters get away?"

"No, they're all dead."

"Ginny?"

"We managed to put up ward around about ten Muggle homes and five wizard."

"Good. Mad-eye?"

"We have got ourselves a guest."

"Guest?"

"Yeah, we tracked him down in Prague. The sneaky bastard tried to dodge us in a pub, but we got him. He will be a valuable resource. Interrogation starts after supper."

Tonks collapsed into her chair next to Mungdungus. She really wanted to hex whoever had come up with the idea of making her the overseer of the Order of the Phoenix. She was not cut out for it. Moody would have been a much better candidate.

They all ate wolfishly; no one knew the next time that they would be able to eat. Tonks was thankful that Fleur had decent cooking skills. She was the only one who never left the headquarters. She was pregnant and therefore no one, especially Bill, would allow her to go on missions. She, although angry at first, realized that since someone had to stay there, it might as well be her.

"Any news from Harry, Hermoine and Ron?" asked Hagrid.

George nodded. "Yeah, but all it was a note consisting of three words: 'We're still alive.'"

"That's not all," interjected Fred. "There was a number. Five, I believe."

"What the hell does that mean?" demanded Smith.

Tonks shrugged, although she knew what it meant and was resisting getting up to do a little jig. They had destroyed the fifth Horcrux. Only one left and they could go after Voldemort. It was a good day. Tonks was one of the few that knew about the Horcruxes. It was very sensitive information. Only she, the Weasleys, Mad-Eye and Hagrid knew. Well, Remus Lupin knew as well, but seeing that he was probably dead…

Tonks blinked back a tear as she continued with her soup. She had become accustomed to hearing of the deaths, but they still hit her hard.

When everyone had finished eating Mad-Eye led her to a small room at the end of the hall of the right side of the kitchen. Tonks was met with the sight of a haggard man with deep silver and black hair and a matching beard. He looked up at her expectantly, piercing her green eyes with his black ones.

"Moody, I am disappointed in you," rasped the man. "I thought this was an interrogation, not a party. I had no idea that you were so…kinky."

As Mad-Eye berated the man, Tonks surveyed him with interest. She had seen him somewhere before.

"Have we met?" she asked.

"I believe not and if you don't mind, I have places to be, so let us get started."

"You're going nowhere. When we are done, either we kill you or we keep you here for further use," growled Mad-Eye.

"You truly are a lecherous old dog," the man replied, earning himself a harsh look and a smack upside the head.

"Mad-Eye, don't let him get to you. You know better. Now, first things first, who are you?"

"Igor Karkaroff, at your service."

"Karkaroff?"

"Yes?"

"Death Eater Karkaroff?"

"Yes."

"Rat Karkaroff?"

"If you say so."

"The one who took the advice of a nine year old girl nineteen years ago?"

The man looked at her peculiarly. "Nymphadora Tonks?"

Mad-Eye looked confused. Tonks stared and Karkaroff stared back.

"You've grown up," said Karkaroff bluntly.

"It tends to happen over time. I see that you gotten older and more wrinkly."

"That too happens over time."

Mad-Eye coughed. "You know this scalawag, Tonks?"

"Of course we know each other. I have her to thank for my release from Azkaban."

Mad-Eye shot a sharp look at Tonks and she gave a sheepish smile back. "Who listens to the advise of a nine year old?"

Mad-Eye turned back to Karkaroff. "Let's just get on with it. Tell us what you know about the Death Eaters and Voldemort."

Karkaroff rolled his eyes. "They are followers of You-Know-Who. He brands them with his mark so that he can call upon them as he wishes. They are all power hungry and like to kill and torture things. The end."

"Listen here," barked Mad-Eye. "I want relevant information."

"I have not been in the service of the Dark Lord for nearly two decades and you expected anything relevant out of me?"

Mad-Eye looked as though he was about to hex Karkaroff, so Tonks decided to step in.

"Where was his base?"

"Pardon?"

"Where was Voldemort's headquarters?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Think of it as doing something nice for an old friend."

Karkaroff just looked insulted.

"Or repaying a favor?"

He glared.

"How about, if you cooperate, we won't hand you over to the 'Dark Lord.' Although, I am sure he would be happy to see you."

This did the trick. Karkaroff now looked sufficiently scared instead of cheeky.

"I don't really know where it was. When he called us, we would have to apparate directly to wherever he was. I am pretty sure it is in London. I think it was the basement of a building. From the noise it sounded like there might have been a nursery of sorts."

Tonks thought. She was not sure where it could be. Then an idea struck her. She pulled Mad-Eye aside and whispered to him.

"Didn't Voldemort grow up in an orphanage?"

"Yes, but why there?"

"It makes sense. Voldemort has shown himself to utilize familiar objects. Symbolism is everything. It is the prefect place."

"The place he hated, that brought him down a child, would contribute to his rise to power. Who would expect? The question is, though, where is this orphanage."

"I am sure we'll find it."

"If you don't mind…" started Karkaroff. Tonks turned her attention back to him.

"Any Voldemort or Death Eater weaknesses we should know about?"

"Like what?"

"Anything. If Macnair is allergic to strawberries, I want to know."

Karkaroff grinned. "Voldemort didn't like his servants to get to close, but I have a few things. Lucius Malfoy is afraid of and hates squirrels. Macnair isn't allergic to strawberries, but he is allergic to certain perfumes and seafood. Rodolphus Lestrange has a gamboling problem. And, as you probably already know, the Dark Lord hates to be called Tom."

"That's it?" demanded Mad-Eye.

"That's it."

"Well, Mad-Eye, it looks as though we are going to need some perfume, squirrels and a deck of cards. This stuff could be useful; we will have to tell the others."

Mad-Eye just rolled his normal eye, which always looked very strange. "I think that's enough for tonight, unless there is anything else to add."

Tonks shook her head. She and Mad-Eye left Karkaroff and made their way back out to the kitchen. Everyone was still around the table, drinking tea, waiting for their orders. Tonks and Mad-Eye first explained the situation with Karkaroff, particularly emphasizing Lucius Malfoy's hatred of squirrels.

Tonks then set her, Moody and Mungdungus to looking for the orphanage; Bill, Hagrid and Olympe to taking the shift to guard St. Mungo's; Fred and George to staying at headquarters to invent more gear that would help in the war, Ginny, Neville, Hannah and Colin to continue setting wards; and finally, Angelina, Lee, and Zacharias to monitor Death Eater movement.

When Tonks finally got to bed that night she was exhausted with her mind racing. Her muddled sleep patterns were littered with nightmares and anxiety.

She dreaded the days to come.

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A/N: First and foremost, thank you for reading. I have no true direction to this story as of yet. It is quite different from anything I have done. If you find it terribly dull, please let me know. If you are intrigued and/ or like it, please let me know as well. I was thinking that time travel may be a possibility, but I really don't know. I also apologise for any gramatical errors.

May your day be filled with sunshine and daisies,

---Perplexity